Williams has tread a tumultuous path since being drafted 12th overall by the Lions in 2022. But now he sees a bright future ahead.
Jameson Williams' father, James, discusses his son's importance to his high school and what having his number retired means to him. Eric Woodyard covers the Detroit Lions for ESPN. He joined ESPN in September 2019 as an NBA reporter dedicated to the Midwest region before switching to his current role in April 2021. The Flint, Mich.
Williams has produced so far. After four games, he leads the Lions in receiving yards , yards per catch and yards per target and is tied for the lead in receiving touchdowns . He's on pace for his first career 1,000-yard season, and he says he's only getting started. "This man in here telling me I can't go back in the game!" Williams told his father."I don't know who he is."
The ACL injury forced Williams to miss the Lions' offseason program and the first 11 games of his rookie year in 2022. When he did make his debut, he was a nonfactor. But his lone catch of the season -- a 41-yard touchdown -- offered a glimpse of the big-play ability that had attracted Detroit. "I never doubted myself because I'm always going to find a way. I've got to find a way because it's all on me," Williams said."You see all my family, they're all depending on me. I can't be the one to fall. It's on my back. That's how I think of it. I've got to find a way to make something happen.", Williams had trouble carving out a consistent role in a Lions offense that now featured five eventual Pro Bowlers on its way to a 12-5 season.
Williams has handed out $100 bills to kids selling water on the street in metro Detroit. He also hosted his inaugural free football camp at Chandler Park Academy on the east side last year, and as a rookie, he provided free Thanksgiving meals for families from the Detroit Police Athletic League . He occasionally pops up at Pistons, Red Wings or Tigers games, and has developed strong ties within Detroit's rap community, such as rapper Babyface Ray.
Gregory, Williams' coach at Cardinal Ritter, still serves as one of his mentors. He knows why his former star player is comfortable anywhere, but urged caution."Wherever he's at, he just wants to be around us -- if that makes sense. He wants to be around and give back to his people," Gregory said."But in hindsight, you can't be down there in the projects with your Maserati either, because you are who you are.
"He's cut different. You don't get that from everybody. This dude is the same person I was sleeping on the floor with over there at his crib. Ain't no difference. He just made something happen. And that's just the best thing that I've seen."WILLIAMS GREW UP "You've got to work out before you go to sleep no matter who you is," said Hellems, who along with current Lions wide receiverwas a frequent visitor to the Williams' home."Rather you start , rather you don't, rather you're even on the team or not. That was the house rules."
"He stays on him constantly. It ain't no letting up," Tianna said of James."Sometimes they bump heads and won't talk for a couple days, but Jameson is the type that he don't like nobody mad at him ... not us. This circle here. No. He can be mad at him for a couple of days, but no."
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